Just when you thought it was safe to go back to a Frank Miller comic...Holy Terror! was originally conceived as Holy Terror, Batman!, a piece of comic book agitprop the legendary writer/artist was inspired to start working on after the September the 11th terrorist attacks. At some point in the process Miller decided the story of Al-Qaeda waging war against a costumed hero "was not a Batman story", although looking at the finished product - with all its violence, barely legible artwork and inexcusable Islamophobia - you can't help but wonder if DC got cold feet. Holy Terror! was all over bookstores when it was first released, buoyed on by Miller's aforementioned high status amongst all readers and his success with the Sin City movie. And what a terrible choice as ambassador for comics amongst the general population: Holy Terror! is a hackneyed piece of work, Miller's exaggerated style tipping over into incomprehensibility, his fetishisation of women and violence plumbing new depths, and an unhealthy dose of racism that runs all the way through. Propaganda at its worst, and comics too.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
